Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

Could this be a result of lead poisoning? So sad...

This is the result of lead poisoning... It is incredibly sad and so unnecessary and mostly preventable.

It is not my intention to turn this into a political discussion; but, if you don't already know this I think everyone who enjoys wildlife and all of God's creatures should be aware that one of the very first acts that the Trump administration took after the inauguration was to lift the regulation that banned lead bullets and fishing gear that hunters and others who shoot firearms and fish on wildlife refuges and Federal lands because it poisons the wildlife that live on these lands when they eat food that has been contaminated by bullets that fishing gear that contains lead. This is in no way to suggest that I oppose hunting and fishing, I do not.

Seeing that magnificent Bald Eagle suffering neurological issues because of this is unconscionable. Bullets and fishing gear can be manufactured without using lead, it is not necessary and takes nothing from those who enjoy hunting and fishing to not endanger the wildlife that share these lands with humans. This is so preventable!

I realize that it will require some effort and expense on the manufacturer of these goods to change how they make these items; but, does that mean they should not have to change? Should paint manufactures have been able to continue using lead in their paints because it was costly to make the change? When something is discovered to be bad for the environment or life of humans or animals, birds or fish shouldn't it be corrected? You can go to prison and be fined up to $100,000 for having in your possession a single American Bald Eagle feather, shouldn't the manufacturer and users of items that poison them be just as accountable?

New U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Thursday issued an order overturning an Obama administration ban on the controversial use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle used on federal lands and waters, in a nod to hunters and fishermen on his first day on the job.

...

President Barack Obama's Fish and Wildlife Service had issued the lead ban on Jan. 19, one day before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, to protect birds and fish from lead poisoning. The move was met with sharp criticism from the National Rifle Association (NRA), which called it Obama's "final assault on gun owners' and sportsmen's rights."

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Last edited by KathyInAR; March 25th, 2017 at 03:02 PM.
Reason: to add the word "not" that I mistakenly omitted at first

"...of no more satisfying conceit than the discovery of such hidden depths of character in one's own child..." - From Survive the Savage SeaIntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

Another view from a different camera...this snag is very near the pond where Mom and Dad take baths...E9 goes to the edge of the pond and has even gotten a talon or two wet; but, as yet has not ventured into the pond...like most little boys he isn't interested in taking a bath! But, once he realizes that it is the wet stuff that gives up the fishes, that will be another enticement...

"...of no more satisfying conceit than the discovery of such hidden depths of character in one's own child..." - From Survive the Savage SeaIntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

“Eagles: When they walk, they stumble. They are not what one would call graceful. They were not designed to walk. They fly. And when they fly, oh, how they fly, so free, so graceful. They see from the sky what we never see.” – Unknown

This beautiful youngster is 17 weeks old now, and I know the days left to watch and learn from him are numbered as he will take off for his own American Bald Eagle adventures at anytime now. I cannot believe how attached I have become to him and this nest. The amount of information that I have learned about the life of America's symbol is astounding! If there are any teachers here, please avail yourselves of the teaching opportunities this people who administer this live cam and website provide each nesting season. This season will close once E9 has left the area for good and will reopen about Oct 1, 2017...put it on your calendars. The moderators of the live cam teach countless number of classrooms all over the country and I think they have even had some classroom participation from other English speaking countries. The parents of the eaglets born at this nest not only take wonderful care and teach their offspring how to survive, they are the perfect example of what a human parent should be as well--it is no wonder that the American Bald Eagle was chosen to the symbol of this country! If he returns to this nesting area when he becomes an adult, we won't be able to recognize him, he will have a white head and tail feathers, and yellow eyes and beak, 5 years hence. God Speed E9, soar high and may you always have successful hunting excursions and a long healthy and happy life.

Last edited by KathyInAR; April 30th, 2017 at 10:10 AM.

"...of no more satisfying conceit than the discovery of such hidden depths of character in one's own child..." - From Survive the Savage SeaIntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

I so loved seeing this photo of the whole little family in the tree eating yesterday, I know these days are numbers as E9 will soon be hearing the wind calling his name to take flight to his own eagle adventures, but for now...

This video from yesterday is so special, IMO.

"...of no more satisfying conceit than the discovery of such hidden depths of character in one's own child..." - From Survive the Savage SeaIntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

The video and photo immediately above are the last sightings (May 2) of the precious eagle born on New Year's Eve morning that literally thousands of people from all over the world grew to love. He has "left the building" to begin the life that Mother Nature intended and for which he was hatched.

I am so sad to know that I won't log onto the live CAM and see him or the daily videos that the wonderful lady "wskrsnwings" does each day of this eagle family during the nesting season and until the fledglings depart. With the video of May 2, as wskrsnwings narrated, she spoke to E9 as if she knew she was saying "goodbye"---Also, a lady called "Lady Hawk" videos this nest and she sets many of her videos to music that is so enjoyable. She is the one who did the "I Love a Rainy Day" which I go back and watch often. Their love of these eagles are evident in their videos and it is as if they have come to know Mom and Dad personally (even though they don't and totally respect the fact that they are wild birds and protected).

With the sadness I feel, at the same time I am happy that E9 developed into a beautiful, healthy, smart and capable eagle. We knew this day would come when he would strike out on his own great Bald Eagle adventures, but it just came too darn quick!

If anyone is interested, here are links to hundreds of videos, photos and the blog of this season and they truly amazing...nothing has impacted my life quite like this in a long, long time:

Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

Mom and Dad were back in the nest, having a fish dinner this evening and tidying things up a bit. Dad had not been seen since E9 was also last seen until this evening. The moderators at the Live CAM Chat said he may have flown off a little ways with E9 or may have just been out of the view of the cameras and the ground crew. But, in the Bald Eagle world, the male takes on most of the responsibility for seeing to the family's needs and M15 seemed to have a very strong bond with E9, so I'd like to think that he spent day with him the day he left and then spent the next day returning home to Harriet.

They then moved to the attic to roost for the night, where their bodies form a perfect heart!

Last edited by KathyInAR; May 5th, 2017 at 11:17 PM.

"...of no more satisfying conceit than the discovery of such hidden depths of character in one's own child..." - From Survive the Savage SeaIntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Re: Watch Bald Eagle Family on Live Cam

Before the unwelcome Irma came knocking at the door, Harriet and M15 had already begun nestorations in preparation of the upcoming nesting season. Yesterday, they were both seen in the nest tree which BTW survived and is still standing minus some of its limbs. The nest is still intact and one cannot see any damage to the nest from the ground. It is more exposed with some of the limbs broken off; so, it will be a waiting game to see if they keep this nest or start building another one in another tree that has more protection from both intruders and the elements. Regardless, it was wonderful to see the nest looking so intact and is a testament to their building abilities and especially seeing both of the eagles looking none-the-worse-for-wear having survived a Cat 2/3 hurricane in their backyard!

Harriet was photographed in the nest yesterday!

"...of no more satisfying conceit than the discovery of such hidden depths of character in one's own child..." - From Survive the Savage SeaIntegrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.